KNOCKHILL 24 / 25 / 26TH JUNE 2005
27 June 2005 - Colin Appleyard Racing

Kieran Clarke made the most of improving weather conditions to post a very good time round the 1.3 mile Knockhill circuit on Saturday.

The morning session saw just five riders dip below the 50-second lap time with grey, cool conditions keeping the track temperature down but things brightened up after lunch. Hydrex Honda’s Clarke covered seventy-four laps in all and recorded a stunning 49.917 to join that elite bands sub 50 seconds. The time was good enough to get him on row three just half a second off the pole position time.

Race One

In beautifully hot and perfect race conditions, the Superbike race started over thirty laps. With a track temperature approaching thirty degrees the Hydrex Honda was sporting a soft compound Dunlop rear as it came to the line. From eleventh on the grid, Kieran’s start could have been better. He was caught up in hectic traffic and struggled for the early laps. As the race settled, Clarke made progress through the field from eighteenth place up to fourteenth and became involved in a battle with Scott Smart and Gary Mason. Then misfortune struck and at ‘Butchers Bend’ Keiran and the Hydrex Honda parted company.

Race Two

The temperature, if anything, was even hotter for the second Superbike outing. In recent weeks the level of competition had improved to the point where a top ten position would be a significant achievement. Keiran was optimistic about the second half of his season. “The Hydrex Honda is really going well and I will be going back to circuits I know well so I am confident we can get top ten finishes. I am feeling better each week as the season unfolds”.

As race two got under way the battle was every bit as fierce at the front and many of the major stars were struggling to stay on terms with the front runners. Keiran circulated consistently and put in a best lap time of 50.849. This steady but fast ride was enough to earn him a hard fought fourteenth and two title points.

125cc GP Class

Sixteen year-old Ashley Beech had a very solid ride in the 24 lap 125cc race and led the charge of the chasing bunch. He circulated for much of the race in sixth place but in the closing stages he grabbed fifth and eleven championship points on his Colin Appleyard Racing Honda.

www.colinappleyard.co.uk

More News
  For June 2005
  From Colin Appleyard Racing
  For British Superbike
  Biker247.com Home Page